Empirical Interrogation of the Government’s Role in Arresting Forest Resource Exploitation in Enugu State, Nigeria

Forests are critical to environmental sustainability, yet they face significant threats from exploitation worldwide. This research addresses these gaps by offering a thorough examination of the factors driving forest overexploitation, its socio-environmental effects, and the promise of co-management strategies to promote sustainable forest resource development in Enugu State. The study adopted both quantitative and qualitative research methods. A sample of 1,043 respondents participated in the quantitative survey, while 20 key informants were involved in in-depth interviews for the qualitative aspect of the study, which were drawn from Enugu State, Nigeria. Purposive and multi-stage sampling techniques were used to reach the respondents. The quantitative data were descriptively analyzed using tables and percentages, while a thematic method of analysis was employed for the qualitative data. Findings revealed that illegal logging (81%), poverty (73.1%), and firewood/charcoal production (79.6%) are the primary drivers of deforestation. These factors contribute to significant environmental consequences, including forest tree loss (96.5%), biodiversity extinction (94.5%), increased global warming (77%), and soil erosion (82.6%). The study recommends the adoption of a co-management framework that integrates government oversight with active community participation to ensure effective forest conservation. This approach, supported by improved funding, awareness creation and enforcement mechanisms, offers a viable pathway toward sustainable forest governance and environmental resilience in Enugu State and similar ecological zones.